Fascinating food in New York and occasionally farther afield

My Cuban Spot

Always in fashion: The pork-beef-garlic-onion frita Cubana ($11) is dressed in a cascade of potato sticks; a behind-the-scenes coating of "special sauce" helps them cling in place. Also shown: the best Cuban sandwich in town ($11). You can't rush it; figure on 10-12 minutes, so it's not only pressed flat but also piping hot, through and through. Both sandwich and burger are accompanied by mariquetas, super-slim rounds of crispy-fried green plantain. Wash them down with an Ironbeer, or a Materva.